Our Christmas Tree & Lots of Marshmallows!

 

Well, the countdown is on!  One week from Christmas Eve, can you even believe it?  I have a little more running around to do before the kids are out of school.  We will need to pick up some groceries a few days before Christmas, but otherwise, we are good to go!

I wanted to share one last holiday post with you before I take some time off.  We usually pick up our tree at the beginning of December.  It sits in the front window in the living room, so we have to move around some of the furniture, but nothing too drastic.

Our tree houses a collection of ornaments, which the kids hang all by themselves (except for where they can't reach of course).  I used to have "rules" about where the ornaments were to go, but now we just let the kids go to town and it's so much fun watching them!  I love it when they pick up an ornament and remember where we purchased it, when they made it or who gave it to them.  It's fun reliving those moments with them and knowing that these memories will last a lifetime.

We have handmade ornaments, ornaments made by the kids, vintage inspired ornaments (though we no longer have complete sets due to a couple of trees toppling over over the years! Goodness, I know! Memories I tell ya!).  Some of the ornaments were gifted to us, handed down to us and made for us, others represent "firsts".  There are ornaments that represent traditions, money socks with the kids' names on them, a tradition carried over from hubs' side of the family and salt dough ornaments that the kids make every year.   Our tree skirt I've contemplated replacing several times, but I never can do it.  I bought it for our very first Christmas after we were married, from Walmart (11 years ago!!).  I remember being so excited to celebrate Christmas together in our new home and the memory is so strong that I just can't get rid of it.

Our tree is a mix and well, it's our mix....it's our story.

I really didn't add too many decor pieces to the room this year.  I decided to keep the tiered stand from the coffee table styling post because I truly do love it's beauty (only wish there were some more Ferrero Rocher's to place on it....must buy more lol).  A few gold candles, our red pillows that only come out for the holidays and a glittery deer round up the pieces in this room this year, the tree is definitely the focal point!

Now, all that's left to do is to grab a magazine or a great book, a delicious cup of hot chocolate (with a slew of marshmallows that have melted juuuust enough) and to have a seat, cozying up next to the tree.

sweater - Old Navy, bracelets - Alex and Ani c/o, jeans - Gap, socks - Old Navy, mug - Chapters Indigo

Have a lovely day, friends!

Cheers,